Ceramics of the Woodlands Period: 1000 BCE - 1650 CE, 24SuT8

Before European colonization of the Midwest, there was a robust ceramic tradition that spanned the length of the Mississippi River-including all the way up here in Minnesota. Euro-American archaeologists have dubbed this era 'The Woodlands Era,' but limited scholarly work has been done on the ceramics of the upper Midwest's Indigenous peoples. In this workshop, you will get a chance to learn about the early use of clay by Indigenous peoples of this region, explore how ceramic technology changed as time went on, and touch on why so little research has been done on the subject. Lastly, the class will work together to attempt to replicate a coil-built vessel following the technical style of Late Woodlands ceramicists. Students will explore impressed, punctuated, and corded design work in the style of these early ceramic artists. Finished work will remain unglazed (as per historical tradition) but information will be provided for participants on how to finish their work at home.

T8: Saturday, August 17, 1 - 4 pm
Instructor: Erin Holt
Fee: $50 (5% member discount)